Erik ten Hag rates Marcus Rashford as one of the best strikers in Europe after he scored his 21st goal of the season in Manchester United’s 2-0 win at Leeds United.
Rashford headed the Red Devils in front 10 minutes from time in Sunday’s frenetic Premier League encounter at Elland Road and Alejandro Garnacho sealed the victory by adding a second goal.
England international Rashford has found the back of the net 13 times in 15 matches since the World Cup and this was his 12th goal in the top flight this season.
Rashford salvaged a 2-2 draw for Man. United against managerless Leeds on Wednesday and inflicted more pain on the relegation-threatened Whites four days later.
United boss Ten Hag believes the 25-year-old is among Europe’s elite marksmen after he scored in a fourth successive Premier League match, helping his side to go second ahead of Manchester City’s game against Aston Villa.
The Dutchman said when asked if Rashford is among the best: “He’s definitely one of them. He has the skills. I was convinced from the first moment. I was really excited to work with him. I thought I could get more out of him.
“But he has so many skills and such high potential and there can be even more. When he works well he will score even more goals because he can score with his left, right and his head.
“It’s about him getting into position, but also the team has to have the capabilities to pass in there and cross in there, as they did today. I think that is what I wanted to describe.
“If you have better formation and calmness on the ball, you get a switch of play or you bring an extra pass, like we did for the goal.
“And then finally, a great cross from Shawy (Luke Shaw) and Marcus was in the right time there. And once again it is a good move by Wout Weghorst at the front post.”
Ten Hag challenged Rashford to score up to 35 goals this season before the match in West Yorkshire and says he must be hungry to push on.
He added: “You asked me, ‘do you think you have a player in your squad who can score 20 goals?’ in August or September and I confirmed. I think he can do that.
“Now, if you are satisfied with it then it will stop. Because satisfaction goes to laziness you have to keep investing every day and when he keeps the investment and keeps the focus in every game and bring the energy in and the belief, he will score, he will keep scoring.
“So then I don’t know when it will stop, but it has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things. I think as a manager, as a coaching staff, we have to push him but finally it comes from the player. When he loses focus, the scoring will stop.”
